PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore women's basketball squad just picked up its first victory against a Division I opponent on Sunday when it topped visiting Navy. Now the attention of the Hawks (4-4) turns squarely on LaSalle (5-3) which has won four of its last five games including the last two.

The two teams will meet for the first time on Wednesday (Dec. 8) at 6 p.m. at Tom Gola Arena. The game can be seen on ESPN+.

"They are playing very good basketball right now," Hawks coach Fred Batchelor said. "They have nice size and they are really tough to guard. I think it will be a challenge for us — and it's a timely challenge because I think it is going to force us to address our rebounding."

Eastern Shore was outrebounded 47-38 in the win versus Navy. After a strong game on the glass at Richmond in the previous contest, Batchelor was disappointed in the focus and effort of some of his players at home on Sunday.

"A picture is worth 1,000 words and with the video of the game and being able to watch it and see it and address some things. It's kind of good that it happens this time of year. I told them it was my fault and I'll make sure it isn't my fault again. I think we need to start utilizing other bodies. I told them sometimes it's difficult to see things in real time, but I think I see it now after watching the film. We'll make those adjustments and play the kids that understand what it means to be disciplined and attentive on every possession."

Batchelor said he is looking forward to utilizing more of his bench as the season progresses, so that he has found the right mix by the time the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference season starts on Jan. 8 at home against Norfolk.

"That the challenge we face as a coaching staff," Batchelor said. "How do we utilize more of the talent we have without extending ourselves too much and at the same time getting the most out of our team. That is something that I will really be looking to nail and figure out as we start to close out these nonconference games."

"I didn't think we took advantage of our opportunities in the first quarter against Navy," Batchelor said. "As I looked at our stats versus Division I opponents, I saw a real drop down in the second quarter this season which we need to address. But I liked the way we came out at halftime. One of their coaches said it was a great adjustment, but I said that was the original game plan. We just executed it better after the half. Sometimes they need to see it."

Batchelor was also happy with the way the team closed out the win at the free throw line despite missing 12 in the game. The Hawks made five of six free throws in the final minute including two each from Angelique Taylor (Wachapreague, Virginia) and Mya Thomas (Chesapeake, Virginia).

"That showed again that I think we are pretty resilient in the face of adversity," Batchelor said. "We could have gone in the tank mentally and emotionally and I thought we rose above that and did what we needed to do."